We can search the Web and see our words. It's what excites us ... our words ... our thoughts ... our very personal contribution to that massive, ethereal world of expression.
Blogging is right-now, in-your-face communication. Its immediacy is obvious, feedback and all. We have little patience in our high-speed world, and blogging does not disappoint.
Simultaneously, we are marketing ourselves and our businesses. However, if we step aside and turn off our egos, accepting delayed gratification, what enhances the value of our blogging and connects us to an unending matrix of thought? Linking!
I did not see the power of linking when I first began blogging. Eventually, I saw the hyperlink as a needed explanation to the text of a post ... like a footnote.
Then one day the realization hit. The link associates you with that particular linked-to source, whatever it may be. It connects you to colleagues, your business, your community and beyond.
When a neighbor mentioned that she hit my blog while searching for store hours, I was surprised. Looking back at my post, I had not used a tag; it was simply a link to better describe the store to the reader.
I know I have seen posts about linking on Active Rain, but I do not believe we fully see value until we each come to our own realization. There is just too much to read, synthesize and understand about the blogosphere. My Active Rain bookmarked section resembles the piles of magazines I mean to read someday. Anyway, even the simplest link can connect you and bring people to you. They seem well worth the bit of extra time it takes to create them.
I was driving up the road today enjoying the seasonal views, which in the Hudson Valley means enhanced views of the mountains ... so much so that you have no doubt you are in a valley. In Cornwall, they seem to encircle you; you get the feeling that you are in one big bowl!
To provide enough water for its millions, New York City owns and maintains reservoirs in upstate New York. When it decided where to locate these reservoirs, it did not matter if a town stood on the desired spot ... open the flood gates, bye-bye town. Thankfully, Cornwall escaped this cruel fate.
I drove past the new road, leading to the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. The Town added an entry on Angola Road and will eventually close the access road from Route 9W. And the new road's entrance is opposite the historic Cromwell Manor Inn. From this vantage point the views are spectacular ... as I crest the hill, I can see the Hudson River flowing at the base of Storm King Mountain.
Up the road apiece, I reach the entrance to Jones Farm & Country Store ... my car wants to make a left ... but I fight it. Delectable pies, apple-cider donuts, fudge and one of the best little gift shops in the area, Clearwaters. And of course, farm animals ... one of my favorite stops along Angola Road.
My mission today is business, so I head toward the traffic circle and make my stops at Cornwall Plaza, the town's compact mall of stores, post office, banks, restaurants and offices, now adjacent to the new 55+ condo development (Canterbury Green), which is nearing completion.
The town looks so different when the leaves fall and the flowers fade, less perfect, less picturesque but nature shines through!
As I make my way back home, the only view that looks the same ... the for-sale signs! We have an impressive inventory of homes on the market in Cornwall, New York. If you are thinking of buying a home, now is the time, this is the place, and I am your Realtor.
Cornwall is my home, and I highly recommend it! It is a lovely town ... always has been. While sailing up the Hudson in 1609, Henry Hudson made an unexpected left turn. Cornwall's beauty drew him in, and it will you too.
Sandy Shores tagged me for this meme. Sandy has a knack for writing those "right on target" posts, chock full of helpful information. I've learned a lot from Sandy, especially about real estate investing, so I am more than happy to comply.
Here are the guidelines:
1. Grab the nearest book. 2. Open the book to page 56. 3. Find the fifth sentence. 4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences. 5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest. 6. Tag five people to do the same
[The one book that this cannot be is the Bible]
Since I am sitting on my sofa, the nearest book is my end table book. It's a travel guidebook, actually "a traveler's life list" ... perfect for a quick read about some new and interesting place in the world.
1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Shultz, 2003.
Page 56, beginning with Sentence five:
"There's no choice in the set five-course menu, but you'll be happy to leave the evening in the masterful hands of the chef who relies entirely on whatever is available from the local waters and suppliers. She has achieved celebrity status by not adhering to strict gastronomic conventions; the success of each inventive dish derives from delicate and simple flavors. Breakfast is as much a joy as the evening's repast was a masterpiece."
The author is referring to the Altnaharrie Inn in Ullapool, Scotland.
Now back to my reality of a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast!
Okay ... time to tag five lucky Rainers (in alphabetical order):
Stigma remains even in America. As a result, social and research support are not what they could be. It's okay to talk about HIV/AIDS. In fact, not doing so has lead to its spread in our country and around the world.
This year's theme is leadership. HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for 27 years! An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, an estimated one million Americans are living with HIV.
You can also visit http://blog.aids.gov/ to learn more about using new media in response to HIV/AIDS and http://www.aids.gov/ to discover other ways that you can make a difference.
If you look at the post I reblogged yesterday you can see we launched a new book. C Tann-Starr took the initiative to share the info with the AR community (thanks again). Today (and I probably should have done this a few days ago...) I wanted to share some of the behind the scenes info on our book marketing effort and ask for your help.
I have participated in a number of book launches over the years. But this one is shaping up to be different. When we checked the Amazon ranking for Commercial Real Estate 101a week or two ago the book was ranked #335,105 overall. Not very high but the book was not available for shipping. Today is a different story thanks to our marketing efforts.
Our goal is to get the book to #1 overall but at a minimum to #1 in Business and Investing and the Real Estate categories. The second goal has since been accomplished.
So how are we going to hit #1 without spending any money on media?
There are two main efforts. The first is a very direct approach to our clients and customers offering them bonus material for helping us out. Feel free to check out the promotion for Commercial Real Estate if you have an interest.
The second is to try and maintain our rankings and sales volumes by utilizing PR, social media, and networking.
So what does this all mean to you? Why should I care?
OK I'll get to the point. We are looking for some people to help spread the word via social media and networking. If you are interested in helping us out and learning more about our marketing efforts or you are just interested in having some fun then we can talk about the following:
Inside scoop on our marketing plan
Content for a blog post
A gift from Trump U. (to be discussed offline - sorry I can't give everything away...)
Bragging rights to say you worked with me… (OK Trump University)
and most importantly my/our gratitude for your help…
If you are interested in playing along leave me a comment or send me an email.
I will be Twittering sales rank info during the day and week to keep folks updated on our progress. Feel free to follow or join us and tag your postings #CRE101 so we can find you in our searches. I will share some results once the effort is completed.
Lots of work to do removing gazillions of leaves before snow falls and they haven't finished dancing off the branches yet. Sometimes we make it in time and sometimes we do not. It's a much more enjoyable spring when we do! That sight of wet leaves peeking through melting snow or crocuses, poking through wet leaves, peeking through the melting snow is not the way to start the season.
View of the Schunemunk Mountains and more leaves to fall
Punkin and leaves
Leaves to the front of me!
And leaves to the back of me!
And forget about the leaves you cannot see! It's a big job ... but I wouldn't trade my trees!
Today, I decided to take pictures instead of rake, because it is such a pretty sight on a crisp, beautiful Halloween afternoon.
Happy Halloween from Cornwall, New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley.
2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Participate in a Blogging Call to Action on December 1st. AIDS.gov and the National Institute on Drug Abuse are partnering with Blog Catalog to host "Bloggers Unite for AIDS." This event is an opporutnity to write about HIV/AIDS to promote public awareness and education and reduce stigma. For more information visit http://www.aids.gov/world_aids_day.html
Leadership is the UN theme for 2008 … urging governments to keep commitments they have made to fight this disease. It is critical that research and education continue.
Over one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS today.
Worldwide, the figure is over 33 million.
Perhaps, HIV/AIDS has touched your life personally or perhaps not.Either way, helping to ensure that Americans understand that the disease still exists with new cases continuing to occur is a worthy cause.Blogging does spread the word!
For me, it did touch my life, losing people dear to me … men and women alike.I watched suffering and death in my personal life and in my work life … funerals and memorial services … far too many.However, this is not about me; this is about them, and I remember them by continuing their fight.Silence=Death and what occurred in the '80s to the mid '90s must never be allowed to happen again!
Please click on the link above if you would like to see what you can do to help.
Thank you Sandy Shores for tagging me!It is indeed an honor, coming from such a committed and professional Realtor.
There are many reasons I love our profession.The most meaningful have little to do with the business aspects of real estate.They are, however, what keeps my heart and soul in the business.
I love houses, and thanks to our profession I can know houses … all sorts of houses, especially old ones … where decades upon decades have left worn paths in the hardwood floors … where you can feel another time in history … where you can see a man’s hand in well worn wood … feel the homes soul … and be inspired or in awe or just take in the feeling lingering in the air.
Our profession has led me to discover first-hand, my town, my county, nearby counties and experience them in ways others cannot … invited into neighbors homes, learning about their humanity, their connections … their hopes.And helping them even for a brief period in their lives to reach that next level of needs or that big dream.
My job keeps me in touch with nature … the roads through mountains carved out centuries ago, winding through towns, villages, hamlets … opening into fields that meet the horizon or a hamlet that once had a reason for its location but now does not … suspended in time … when roads went around humanity and not through it … recognizing the preeminence of a man’s “castle.”
And on a personal level, I love it because I can be as non-conforming as I choose in conforming to a standard of excellence within the profession and because all of life’s experiences and education serve me well.The more I experience and know, the better I relate to people, the environment and my role in life. Nothing is wasted in this business.
In closing, I tag …
Deborh Pearce … a very creative professional whose posts are reflective of her artistry, wonderful sense of humor and enjoyment of life.
Patrice Estess … a horse lover whom I truly admire because of her rescue efforts and the kindness and care she provides these wonderful animals.
Teresa Berry … a marketing maven with the coolest ideas, always presented in concise and easy-to-follow style.That’s it she has style!And I can almost smell the java brewing when I visit her blog :-
Look at homes currently on the market in your neighborhood as well as those recently sold.For how much did they sell, and for how much are they being offered?
How do you prepare it to sell?
You prepare your home to sell by staging it so that you will:
Attract buyers with curb appeal.
Welcome buyers to an inviting and tranquil interior space.
Make an indelible impression.
Why call a Realtor?
A Realtor will prepare an analysis of market trends in your neighborhood so that you will have the information needed to price it right.
A Realtor can offer a home staging consultation or direct you to a home staging consultant or maybe, you are a DIYer.You will know where to invest and not invest your time and money and where minor modifications can make a major difference.
By pricing your home to sell and preparing it so that buyers can envision it as their own, your home will sell … and that brings us to the fourth "P" … Profit!
MARIE P. MEYER, KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY, CENTRAL VALLEY, NY
Keller Williams works for me and not the other way around.Allow us to work for you.
Serving Orange County, New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley.
Hi folks. My good friend and fellow ActiveRainer, Margaret Rome, is getting close to launching her first book "Real Estate the Right Rome Way". I'm sure most of you know Margaret but if not....stop over and check out her profile.
Margaret and I joined AR at just about the same time, July of 2006. In fact, as far as I can, tell we actually joined on the same day. Her first post and my first post were both on July 8, 2006.
Margaret and I have always had a connection. We are very much alike and handle our businesses the same. I still believe we were separated at birth. Here are a few similarities.
We are both "solo" agents
We both specialize in listings
I have a TLW she has a TLH.
We both have tempurpedic craftmatic adjustable beds!!!
We are both soooooooo good looking.
Anyway....Margaret is really wanting to get Seth Godin to review her book and maybe write a blurb on the jacket. So she decided to have alittle contest to see who could come up with a good idea to get Seth's attention. My idea was to get as many Rainers as possible to place this phrase in their next post:
I figure Seth has his Google alerts activated and if enough of us do this he will not be able to ignore us and will have to come over to see what's going on. If you are not familiar with Seth he is a master marketeer and a best selling author. Getting him to review Margaret's book would be HUGE!!
So.....if you would, next post you write, just take a minute and copy/paste this phrase....
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
I have participated in a number of 
Hi folks. My good friend and fellow ActiveRainer, Margaret Rome, is getting close to launching her first book "Real Estate the 
e a blurb on the jacket. So she decided to have a
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